2012. 5. 10. 22:09
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Shalom Israel,
“From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf [omer] of the
wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day
after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the
Lord.” (Leviticus 23: 15__16)
wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day
after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the
Lord.” (Leviticus 23: 15__16)
A Shavuot harvest festival on Kibbutz Shoval in Israel
Today is Lag b’Omer, the holiday celebrated between the Passover and
Shavuot (Weeks/Pentecost).
Shavuot (Weeks/Pentecost).
Although, this one-day holiday was instituted by the rabbis, it does fall
within the Biblically mandated observance of counting the Omer, the period
of time that links Passover (the exodus from Egypt) with Shavuot (the
giving of the Torah).
within the Biblically mandated observance of counting the Omer, the period
of time that links Passover (the exodus from Egypt) with Shavuot (the
giving of the Torah).
Lag is the number 33 (since the Hebrew letters "lamud" and "gimmel" correspond
to numerical values of "30" and "3”), and Omer, which is a unit of measure,
means “sheaves of a harvested crop.”
to numerical values of "30" and "3”), and Omer, which is a unit of measure,
means “sheaves of a harvested crop.”
So, Lag b’Omer means the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer.
In ancient times in Israel, barley was the grain that
was most commonly used to make flour for bread.
Why did the Lord Command the Omer to be Counted?
“Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the
standing grain. Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks [Shavuot] to the Lord
your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord
your God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16: 9 __ 10)
standing grain. Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks [Shavuot] to the Lord
your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord
your God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16: 9 __ 10)
In a modern society that is disconnected from God and its agricultural roots,
the command to count the Omer may seem distant or irrelevant. But it does
have some wonderful lessons for Believers, especially since it was during the
counting of the Omer that Yeshua appeared to His disciples after
the resurrection.
the command to count the Omer may seem distant or irrelevant. But it does
have some wonderful lessons for Believers, especially since it was during the
counting of the Omer that Yeshua appeared to His disciples after
the resurrection.
Ruth in Boaz's Field, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
In ancient times, the Jewish People cut down an omer of barley and
brought it to the Temple as an offering on the second day of Passover.
brought it to the Temple as an offering on the second day of Passover.
The Torah commanded the Jewish people to count from the time of this
‘wave offering’ the seven weeks until the evening of Shavuot.
‘wave offering’ the seven weeks until the evening of Shavuot.
Although Jews can no longer bring their Omer Offering to the Temple
(because it was destroyed in 70 AD), it’s still observed as a period of time
to reflect on one’s character before Shavuot, which in Jewish tradition is
when Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai.
(because it was destroyed in 70 AD), it’s still observed as a period of time
to reflect on one’s character before Shavuot, which in Jewish tradition is
when Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Since the days are counted between the commemoration of the Exodus from
slavery in Egypt (Passover) and the commemoration of the giving of Torah
(Shavuot), the Jewish People are reminded that redemption from slavery
was incomplete until God gave us His guide to holiness, through the
Word of God (the Torah).
slavery in Egypt (Passover) and the commemoration of the giving of Torah
(Shavuot), the Jewish People are reminded that redemption from slavery
was incomplete until God gave us His guide to holiness, through the
Word of God (the Torah).
In ancient times, animal sacrifices were not the only kind of
sacrifice brought to the Temple. Many sacrifices consisted of
agricultural produce. The Omer Offering of barley on the second
day of Passover was one such sacrifice.
Prophetic Significance of Counting the Omer
“For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘And
on the seventh day God rested from all his work.’” (Hebrews 4:4)
on the seventh day God rested from all his work.’” (Hebrews 4:4)
Many of the numbers we find in the Bible have deep prophetic and
spiritual significance which can be lost with a casual reading. The number
seven is one of twelve numbers that are especially prominent.
spiritual significance which can be lost with a casual reading. The number
seven is one of twelve numbers that are especially prominent.
In the Bible, seven represents perfection, completion and rest. Including
derivative words such as seventh and sevens, this word occurs 562 in the Scriptures.
derivative words such as seventh and sevens, this word occurs 562 in the Scriptures.
In Genesis, we read that God created the universe in six days, but on the
seventh day, His work was completed and therefore He rested (Genesis 2:1__4).
seventh day, His work was completed and therefore He rested (Genesis 2:1__4).
“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the
seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and
made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had
done.” (Genesis 2: 2__3)
seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and
made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had
done.” (Genesis 2: 2__3)
The number seven is also prominent in Bible prophecy and is used frequently
in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In the latter, we read of seven angels,
seven eyes, seven kings, seven crowns, seven horns, seven seals, seven golden
candlesticks, seven golden vials, etc.
in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In the latter, we read of seven angels,
seven eyes, seven kings, seven crowns, seven horns, seven seals, seven golden
candlesticks, seven golden vials, etc.
“Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden
bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.”
(Revelation 15:7)
bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.”
(Revelation 15:7)
John's Vision of Heaven, by Matthias Gerung, depicting the Lamb opening
the seven seals.
The counting of the Omer, then, is inescapably significant since it counts
seven weeks of seven (49).
seven weeks of seven (49).
At the end of this period is the 50th day__Shavuot, which Hellenist Jews called
Pentecost, from the Greek word for fiftieth.
Pentecost, from the Greek word for fiftieth.
The 50th day can be taken to represent the Year of Jubilee, the time the shofar
(ram’s horn) sounds, all slaves go free, and all debts are cancelled.
(ram’s horn) sounds, all slaves go free, and all debts are cancelled.
In a similar way that the counting of the Omer marks time between the
physical redemption of Israel from Egypt and the spiritual redemption
through the giving of the Law, the same timeline is evident between the
death of Messiah on the execution stake (cross) as the perfect offering for
sin, and the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to Believers
on Shavuot (Pentecost).
physical redemption of Israel from Egypt and the spiritual redemption
through the giving of the Law, the same timeline is evident between the
death of Messiah on the execution stake (cross) as the perfect offering for
sin, and the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to Believers
on Shavuot (Pentecost).
In Acts 1:13 we read how the Jewish People from around Israel and the world
gathered in Jerusalem to reaffirm their commitment to the covenant of Moses
__including those who believed in Messiah.
gathered in Jerusalem to reaffirm their commitment to the covenant of Moses
__including those who believed in Messiah.
In the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit descended as a sign of the Brit Hadashah
(the New Covenant), thereby writing the Torah on Believers’ hearts,
supernaturally empowering them to lead holy lives.
(the New Covenant), thereby writing the Torah on Believers’ hearts,
supernaturally empowering them to lead holy lives.
Consequently, the same way Israel celebrates Pentecost 50 days after
Passover, the Christian Church celebrates Pentecost 50 days after Easter.
Passover, the Christian Church celebrates Pentecost 50 days after Easter.
Pentecost, by Jean II Restout
Counting the Days until His Return
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
(Psalm 90:12)
(Psalm 90:12)
The counting of the Omer reminds us to be counting the days until
Yeshua’s soon return, so that we may lead lives worthy of those who
have been counted redeemed.
Yeshua’s soon return, so that we may lead lives worthy of those who
have been counted redeemed.
On Lag b'Omer thousands visit the tomb of Simeon bar Yochai, a notable first
century disciple of Rabbi Akiva. This Jewish sage, who was critical of the
Roman government, was forced into hiding for 13 years. He is said to have
died on the 33rd day of counting the Omer.
Traditionally, the tone of the Counting of the Omer is not one of joy, but of
somber introspection, as people prepare themselves to receive the Torah
by reflecting on how to be a better person.
somber introspection, as people prepare themselves to receive the Torah
by reflecting on how to be a better person.
Each week of the Omer is dedicated to a spiritual quality that we aspire to
attain in greater measure: chesed (kindness), gevurah (strength), tiferet
(balance) and yesod (confidence).
attain in greater measure: chesed (kindness), gevurah (strength), tiferet
(balance) and yesod (confidence).
Each day of the week is also dedicated to reflecting on one particular aspect;
for instance, on the second day of the first week, observant Jewish people
consider the gevurah that is in chesed (the strength that is in kindness).
for instance, on the second day of the first week, observant Jewish people
consider the gevurah that is in chesed (the strength that is in kindness).
In this way, we focus on one particular aspect of developing a
better character.
better character.
An Israeli child collecting wood for a Lag b'Omer bonfire.
False Hopes Lead to Mourning
The days of counting the Omer is also a period of semi-mourning during
which time observant Jews do not celebrate weddings or cut their hair.
which time observant Jews do not celebrate weddings or cut their hair.
Scholars are not actually sure of the historical reasons for mourning during
counting the Omer, other than a mention in the Talmud (oral law) of a plague
during this time that may have killed 24,000 of the students of the great
Jewish sage, Rabbi Akiva.
during this time that may have killed 24,000 of the students of the great
Jewish sage, Rabbi Akiva.
The one day that is exempted from this period of semi-mourning is Lag
b’Omer, which is usually celebrated with huge bonfires that represent the
great light of the Torah all across the Land of Israel.
b’Omer, which is usually celebrated with huge bonfires that represent the
great light of the Torah all across the Land of Israel.
Ironically, most Jewish people really don’t know why we celebrate the 33rd day
of the counting of the Omer.
of the counting of the Omer.
Some suggest the plague abated for this one day.
A Lag b'Omer bonfire in Israel
The word “plague,” however, could also have been a code word for the
disaster of Simon bar Kokhba’s failed rebellion against the Roman Empire in
132 CE __ an attempt which Rabbi Akiva supported.
disaster of Simon bar Kokhba’s failed rebellion against the Roman Empire in
132 CE __ an attempt which Rabbi Akiva supported.
Many Jewish people at that time thought that Bar Kokhba was the promised
Messiah who would deliver the Jews from the oppression of the Romans.
Messiah who would deliver the Jews from the oppression of the Romans.
With Bar Kokhba’s defeat, many were bitterly disappointed, as they
witnessed their Messianic expectations shattered.
witnessed their Messianic expectations shattered.
This 1987 Lag b'Omer parade is in front of Rabbi Schneerson's synagogue in
Brooklyn, New York. The blue sign on the wall reads: "Enough is enough.
We want Moshiach [Messiah] now." Schneerson, who died in 1994, was
considered by many to be the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
Today, the Jewish people continue to wait for the Promised Messiah.
They do not realize that He has already come as Yeshua HaMashiach
(Jesus the Messiah) to save us __ not from political oppression, but from the
spiritual oppression of the enemy of our souls.
(Jesus the Messiah) to save us __ not from political oppression, but from the
spiritual oppression of the enemy of our souls.
Israel, will you help us to reach the people of Israel with the Good News
that the true Messiah has already come?
that the true Messiah has already come?
Chag Sameach (happy holiday) to all our Bibles For Israel friends!